Groove – Episode #36: John Patitucci

What has not been said about the bass playing of John Patitucci? The Brooklyn native started playing the bass when he was twelve and has not stopped since. He was a member of three Chick Corea groups: the Elektric Band, the Akoustic Band, and the quartet.

While he often switches between the acoustic and electric bass, most of us know him for his groundbreaking work with the six string bass. Patitucci truly is the triple threat: a killer live performer, an amazing studio musician, and a much sought-after teacher. He was the artistic director of the Bass Collective, was involved with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, he started the Online Jazz Bass School, and was more recently appointed artist in residence at Berklee College of Music.

In 2015, the documentary Back In Brooklyn came out and covered not only the recording of his solo disc, Brooklyn, but it was a phenomenal look back on his incredible career.

John is busier than ever these days. The multi-Grammy winner most recently toured with The John Patitucci Electric Guitar Quartet, which happened around the same time as the 2015 recording of another trio, Children of the Light. We’re honored that John took the time to chat with us.

Enjoy the conversation…